Chapter 1
A major departure
EV charging is a big change from current fueling behavior.
In most ICE fleets, fueling takes place at public locations (gas stations) or fuel depots. With an EV fleet, charging options can change drastically. This is especially true if the fleet has multiple uses and variable routes. ICE fueling by nature is as-needed or opportunistic. EV charging can be cheapest and most effective when it’s done regularly and in a planned manner.
Figure 2: Comparison between preferred fueling and preferred charging locations
Chapter 2
EV Charging strategy
Outlining what, where and when EV charging must be made available.
Therese Sullivan, Director, Operations Support, National Grid, says, “A charging strategy starts with an understanding of all potential future charging locations, including on-site, mobile, fast-charging hubs, home and public. Planning a charging location requires a detailed understanding of internal factors such as fleet operational patterns and preferences as well as external factors such as availability of public charging in the market.”
Each potential charging location requires well-defined supporting policies, business processes, technologies and systems. For example, to charge at public locations companies will need a simple and easy way of defining payment and reimbursement processes for operators. For home charging, companies will need to have a well-defined home policy for charger installation, service and reimbursement of electricity costs. These solutions require evaluation of various alternatives and implications (free chargers vs. employees pay for charger and installation, what and how the reimbursement will be done, supporting technology, etc.).
Furthermore, a successful strategy, and especially its implementation, requires additional enablers, such as an operating model, organizational design, revised governance and key performance indicators (KPIs), and a change management plan.
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The selection of a charging location influences overall charger numbers and charger levels needed to be installed. For example, enabling home charging may reduce the need for on-site charging and could lower on-site charging load. Similarly, enabling public charging can reduce the need for fast-charging hubs drastically if operational needs allow it.
The common practice is to plan chargers based on a rule of thumb. Ratios such as one charger port per vehicle and one DC fast-charging port per 25 vehicles are commonly cited without much analysis.
A charging strategy starts with understanding all potential charging locations. Planning for a location requires an understanding of internal and external factors like fleet operational patterns and public charging availability.
An EY survey of 29 commercial fleets from six different industries conducted in early 2022 shows a ratio of less than one charger per port could be operationally sufficient. Similarly, a higher vehicle to DC fast-charging ratio could be desirable for fleets with high reliability requirements. Several scenarios with different combinations of charging locations to calculate charger level and numbers by location can be evaluated.
EV charging infrastructure stakeholders are best positioned to build a business case and provide valuable information on projections of peak EV charging demand management challenges, revenue opportunities, and costs.
Chapter 3
Modeling outputs
For clarity and stakeholder consensus, modeling outputs should be simple and easy to visualize.
Figure 4: Modeling charger type and location (illustrative)
Common charging planning pitfalls to be avoided
Chapter 4
Stakeholders and planning
Metrics need to be considered for collaboration and intervention into planning and implementation.
Figure 5: Key stakeholders
Stakeholders and their inputs
Organization |
Inputs |
Fleet operators |
|
Fleet asset management |
|
Facilities |
|
Real estate |
|
Procurement |
|
Finance and reporting |
|
The organizational design may need to be re-evaluated to help ensure that the new roles that will be required for ongoing strategy re-evaluation and implementation are put in place. For example, new roles that may need to be defined to strengthen strategy, implementation and execution include change management specialists, site planning/project management specialists, systems and reporting analysts, and charger and maintenance technicians.
A successful charging strategy needs inputs and collaboration from multiple stakeholders within the company.
Risk identification and mitigation planning need to start early
A full-scale charging strategy is new to most organizations. At each step, there are risks that span from technology, lack of electric capacity at sites and long interconnection times to a lack of trained installers. Identifying key challenges and having a mitigation plan can help avoid delays and cost overages.
Select risks and mitigation strategies
Ongoing charger performance can be evaluated to help ensure that near real-time or real-time information is collected and acted on to drive performance optimization and immediate intervention if maintenance and repair are needed.
Summary
With new regulations, charger supply challenges, evolving EV charging strategies and talent shortages, multiple risks are emerging and charging planning needs to remain flexible, yet disciplined and data-driven. Fleet, operations, facilities and procurement must continuously collaborate to stay abreast of new developments, respond thoughtfully and implement changes rapidly. Real-time monitoring can help ensure timely actions are taken.